Inflatable seat and back rest



Dec. 3, 1963 sc ETAL 3,112,956

INFLATABLE SEAT AND BACK REST Filed Aug. 30, 1961 INVEVTORS MELVIN v E.SCHlCK BY JAMES F. McKINNEY A TORNEYS United States Patent 3,112,956INFLATABLE SEAT AND BACK REST Melvin Edward Schick, 530 Clark, Elgin,111., and James F. McKinney, 616 Galena Blvd, Aurora, Ill. Filed Aug.30, 1961, Ser. No. 134,922 4 Claims. (Cl. 297219) The present inventionrelates to an inflatable seat and back rest unit of the type in whichthe supporting and cushioning effect is provided by a body of air orother gas contained within the unit. And it more specifically relates toan inflatable seat and back rest containing clearance pockets therein torelieve the pressure from the lower back and rectal regions of a personoccupying the unit.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide aninflatable seat and back rest unit containing clearance pockets thereinto relieve the pressure from the lower back and rectal regions of aperson occupying the unit.

A further object of this invention is to provide an inflatable seatand.back rest unit wherein the amount of the cushioning and supportingeflect may be independently controlled by separately adjusting the airpressure of the back and seat cushions. It is also possible to maintaineither the seat or back cushions in the deflated condition whileinflating the other so as to fulfill individual needs. Also, when thecombination is in the deflated condition it is easily folded to a smallcom-pact condition which is readily transportable.

A further object of this invention is to provide an inflatable seat andback rest unit wherein the individual cushions thereof may be separatedwhereby either the seat or back rest may be used independently.

A further object of this invention is to provide an inflatable seat andback unit of cellular construction wherein the cells are proportionallysized to provide the proper supporting and cushioning eflect fordifferent portions of the body.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an inflatableseat and back rest unit that is adaptable :for use by individuals thatspend considerable time operating trucks, cars, tractors, boats or othersimilar type vehicles having rough and bumpy rides. It is also adaptablefor use by individual having local lower back and rectal irritations. Itis also an object of this invention for the seat and back restcombination to function as a life preserver when the combination is usedin connection with marine vessels.

A still further object of this invention resides in its simplicity ofdesign and construction whereby it is inexpensive to make and readilyadaptable to mass production manufacturing techniques.

Other and additional objects will become manifest from the ensuingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the presentinvention then consists of the means hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and thetollowing description setting forth in detail certain means in carryingout the invention, such disclosed means illustrated, however, but a fewof the various ways in which the principle of the invention may beemployed.

amass Patented Dec. 3, 1363 The present invention is illustrated by wayof example in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the seat and back rest unit in theinflated condition;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the seat and back rest unit;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged (fragmentary sectional view taken along line 33 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the seat and back rest unit in the inflatedcondition;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another form of the seat and back restunit in the inflated condition; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of another form of the seat and back rest unit.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and more particularly to FIG. 1,it will be seen that the seat and back rest unit consists of a seatcushion 20 and a back cushion 21 connected along a marginal edge by anon-inflatable elongated web 22 which acts as a hinge to permitselective positioning of the seat and back cushion with respect to eachother. Web 22 is provided with releasable fastening facilities such as azipper 23 [for connecting and disconnecting the cushions for independentor combined use thereof.

Seat and back cushions have a generally rectangular peripheral shapewith generally rectangular external clearance pockets or openings 24therein. Clearance pockets 24 may take the form of a flat non-inflatablepanel. These clearance pockets 24 relieve the pressure of sitting fromthe lower back and rectal regions. It has been found to be extremelyuseful to those individuals experiencing surgery and also those who havechronic irritations in the lower back and rectal region. In addition, itis of use in trucks, cars, tractors and other vehicles having rough andbumpy rides.

The seat 20 and back 21 cushions are formed from two generallyrectangular sheets 25 and 26 or a single folded sheet orf substantiallyflexible air impermeable material, the sheet or sheets are superimposedupon each other to form the upper and lower walls of the unit (see FIG.3). The sheets are composed of clear or colored flexible vinyl resinplastic, rubber or other similar type materials. These materials may beadapted to heat sealing, solvent sealing or any other suitable sealingmaterial. They should be able to withstand a wide variety of temperatureranges, both hot and cold and also withstand deterioration over anextended period.

In the preferred form the peripheral edges of the upper and lower wallsare heat sealed together to form inflatable compartments. Intermediateareas are heat sealed intermittently along a plurality of elongated seallines 26 which are spaced sufliciently apart and generally parallel andlongitudinally of the unit to form a series of differently sized andrandomly positioned inflatable communieating cells 27 which are incommunication by means of passageways 28. It is important tonote that inthe pretferred form of the invention a communicating air cell or duct27a is positioned between the clearance pocket 24 and the hinge web 22.Cell or air duct 27a provides additional lateral rigidity to thecushion, and therefore, prevents the cushions from collapsing inwardlywhile in use. The cells located near the outer periphery of thecombination have a slightly greater width dimension to envelope the sideportions of the body and therefore provide the proper support andcushioning of the body in such portions. The cellular construction incooperation with the heat seal lines defines a series of air troughswhich serve as a ventilation means between the body and the unit whenthe unit is in use.

Seat 26 and back 21 cushions are separately inflatable by individual airinlet facilities 29 which recess into the cushion and do not protrudebeyond the seating surface. They provide a unit wherein the amount ofcushioning and supporting of the body may be independently controlled byadjusting the air pressure for each of the back and seat cushionsindependently. This gives flexibility to the combination for it may bethe need of some individuals to have the back inflated more than theseat or not at all or vice versa as the case may be. When thecombination is deflated it is quickly folded to a small compactcondition which is readily transportable.

Perforated ears or tabs 30 are located midway along the outer marginaledges of the back cushion 21 to provide a means for securing the unit toseat or chair or other similar objects. The seat cushion may also beprovided with tabs to suit individual needs thereof.

FIG. represents a variation of the invention wherein a plurality ofclearance pockets 24a are provided longitudinally along both the seat29a and back 21a cushions with communicating cells 27b joining the majorsections of the seat 26a and back 21a cushions. FIG. 6 representsanother variation of the invention wherein the cell 27a and zipper 23are eliminated.

While a preferred embodiment of the seat and back rest unit has beenshown and described, it will be apparent that numerous modifications andvariations thereof may be made without departing from underlyingprinciples of the invention. It is therefore desired by the followingclaims to include within the scope of the invention all such variationsand modifications by which substantially the results of this inventionmay be obtained through the use of substantally the same or equivalentmeans.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a combination seat and back supporting cushioning unit having seatand back cushions of generally corresponding length and width dimensionsand hingedly connected in fore-and-aft aligned adjacent relation by aflexible strap element extending generally coextensively along adjacentedges of said cushions, the improvement wherein each cushion iscomprised of superposed upper and lower walls of substantially flexible,air-impermeable, stretch resistant material joined together in directlyengaging relation along an endless external marginal seal line and alonga plurality of laterally spaced fore-andaft directed intermediate seallines to provide an inflatable elernent having a pneumatic cell arraythat includes a set of at least four adjacently intercommunicating,generally parallel, side-by-side arranged fore-and-aft elongated mainpneumatic cells capable, when inflated, of affording lengthwisestability of shape and widthwise conformability of shape to eachelement, each cushion element also having its upper and lower wallsjoined together in directly engaging relation along an endless internalseal line to provide a clearance pocket at a laterally central locationbordering said adjacent edge thereof to provide said unit withjuxtaposed, fore-and-aft aligned cooperating clearance pockets flankingsaid strap element for affording relief from the pressure of sitting onthe lower back and rectal regions of a person occupying the unit, witheach cushion element having its pneumatic cell array of a width toextend laterally of the body of the person using it and having thelaterally outermost ones of said main cells of greater width thanintermediate ones of said main cells to enable each cushion element,when inflated, to conform concavely to the body and aid in centering thebody laterally relative to said clearance pockets, and each cushionelement having separate air inlet facilities communicating for selectiveregulation of each cushion element.

2. In a combination seat and back supporting cushioning unit having seatand back cushions of generally corresponding length and width dimensionsand hingedly connected in fore-and-aft aligned adjacent relation by aflexible strap element extending generally coextensively along adjacentedges of said cushions, the improvement wherein each cushion iscomprised of superposed upper and lower walls of substantially flexible,airirnpermeable, stretch resistant material joined together in directlyengaging relation along an endless external marginal seal line and alonga plurality of laterally spaced fore-and-aft directed intermediate seallines to provide an inflatable element having a pneumatic cell arraythat includes a set of at least four adjacently intercommunieating,generally parallel, side-by-side arranged, fore-and-aft elongated mainpneumatic cells capable, when inflated, of affording lengthwisestability of shape and widthwise conformability of shape to eachelement, each cushion element also having its upper and lower wallsjoined together in directly engaging relation along an endless internalseal line to provide a clearance pocket at a laterally central locationbordering said adjacent edge thereof to provide said unit withjuxtaposed, fore-and-aft aligned cooperating clearance pockets flankingsaid strap element for affording relief from the pressure of sitting onthe lower back and rectal regions of a person occupying the unit, witheach cushion element having its pneumatic cell array of a width toextend laterally of the body of the person using it and having thelaterally outermost ones of said main cells of greater width thanintermediate ones of said main cells to enable each cushion element,when inflated, to conform concavely to the body and aid in centering thebody laterally relative to said clearance pockets, and each cushionelement having separate air inlet facilities communicating with one ofthe main pneumatic cells thereof for selective regulation of eachcushion element.

3. In a combination seat and back supporting cushioning unit having seatand back cushions of generally corresponding length and width dimensionsand hingedly connected in fore-and-aft aligned adjacent relation by aflexible strap element extending generally coextensively along adjacentedges of said cushions, the improvement wherein each cushion iscomprised of superposed upper and lower walls of substantially flexible,air-impermeable, stretch resistant material joined together in directlyengaging relation along an endless external marginal seal line and alonga plurality of laterally spaced fore-and-aft directed intermediate seallines to provide an inflatable element having a pneumatic cell arraythat includes a set of at least four adjacently intercommunicating,generally parallel, side-by-side arranged fore-and-aft elongated mainpneumatic cells capable, when inflated, of affording lengthwisestability of shape and widthwise conformability of shape to eachelement, each cushion element also having its upper and lower wallsjoined together in directly engaging relation along an endless internalseal line to provide a clearance pocket at a laterally central locationbordering said adjacent edge thereof to provide said unit withjuxtaposed, fore-and-aft aligned cooperating clearance pockets flankingsaid strap element for affording relief from the pressure of sitting onthe lower back and rectal regions of a person occupying the unit, witheach cushion element having its pneumatic cell array of a width toextend laterally of the body of the person using it and having thelaterally outermost ones of said main cells of greater width thanintermediate ones of said main cells to enable each cushion element,when inflated, to conform concavely to the body and aid in centering thebody laterally relative to said clearance pockets, said seat cushionalso having its upper and lower walls joined together in directlyengaging relation along an interrupted transverse seal line and along aplurality of fore-and-aft intermediate seal lines extending forwardlyfrom said transverse line, said transverse line being spaced closer to 55 the front of saiu s at cushion to provide a hingedly connected forwardsection defining a subarray of pneumatic cells in adiacentlycommunicating relation to some of the main cells and to each other, andeach cushion element having separate air inlet facilities communicatingtherewith for selective regulation of each cushion element.

4. The cushioning unit of claim 3 wherein the subarray of said seatcushion comprises more fore-and-aft seal lines than does the array ofmain cells so that, when infiated, the cells of the subarray aresubstantially thinner than the main cells.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,156,523 Clemens Oct. 12, 1915 6 Griifin May 4, Anderson Sept. 3,Bishop Jan. 24, Hebrank Feb. 14, Pickard Sept. 3, Engelen Oct. 14,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 27, Great Britain Aug. 6, France Apr.8,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No,3,112356 December 3 1963 Melvin Edward Schick et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read ascorrected below.

Column 4 line 35 before "with" insert direct-1y --V Signed and sealedthis 9th day of June 1964.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. IN A COMBINATION SEAT AND BACK SUPPORTING CUSHIONING UNIT HAVING SEATAND BACK CUSHIONS OF GENERALLY CORRESPONDING LENGTH AND WIDTH DIMENSIONSAND HINGEDLY CONNECTED IN FORE-AND-AFT ALIGNED ADJACENT RELATION BY AFLEXIBLE STRAP ELEMENT EXTENDING GENERALLY COEXTENSIVELY ALONG ADJACENTEDGES OF SAID CUSHIONS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN EACH CUSHION ISCOMPRISED OF SUPERPOSED UPPER AND LOWER WALLS OF SUBSTANTIALLY FLEXIBLE,AIR-IMPERMEABLE, STRETCH RESISTANT MATERIAL JOINED TOGETHER IN DIRECTLYENGAGING RELATION ALONG AN ENDLESS EXTERNAL MARGINAL SEAL LINE AND ALONGA PLURALITY OF LATERALLY SPACED FORE-ANDAFT DIRECTED INTERMEDIATE SEALLINES TO PROVIDE AN INFLATABLE ELEMENT HAVING A PNEUMATIC CELL ARRAYTHAT INCLUDES A SET OF AT LEAST FOUR ADJACENTLY INTERCOMMUNICATING,GENERALLY PARALLEL, SIDE-BY-SIDE ARRANGED FORE-AND-AFT ELONGATED MAINPNEUMATIC CELLS CAPABLE, WHEN INFLATED, OF AFFORDING LENGTHWISESTABILITY OF SHAPE AND WIDTHWISE CONFORMABILITY OF SHAPE TO EACHELEMENT, EACH CUSHION ELEMENT ALSO HAVING ITS UPPER AND LOWER WALLSJOINED TOGETHER IN DIRECTLY ENGAGING RELATION ALONG AN ENDLESS INTERNALSEAL LINE TO PROVIDE A CLEARANCE POCKET AT A LATERALLY CENTRAL LOCATIONBORDERING SAID ADJACENT EDGE THEREOF TO PROVIDE SAID UNIT WITHJUXTAPOSED, FORE-AND-AFT ALIGNED COOPERATING CLEARANCE POCKETS FLANKINGSAID STRAP ELEMENT FOR AFFORDING RELIEF FROM THE PRESSURE OF SITTING ONTHE LOWER BACK AND RECTAL REGIONS OF A PERSON OCCUPYING THE UNIT, WITHEACH CUSHION ELEMENT HAVING ITS PNEUMATIC CELL ARRAY OF A WIDTH TOEXTEND LATERALLY OF THE BODY OF THE PERSON USING IT AND HAVING THELATERALLY OUTERMOST ONES OF SAID MAIN CELLS OF GREATER WIDTH THANINTERMEDIATE ONES OF SAID MAIN CELLS TO ENABLE EACH CUSHION ELEMENT,WHEN INFLATED, TO CONFORM CONCAVELY TO THE BODY AND AID IN CENTERING THEBODY LATERALLY RELATIVE TO SAID CLEARANCE POCKETS, AND EACH CUSHIONELEMENT HAVING SEPARATE AIR INLET FACILITIES COMMUNICATING FOR SELECTIVEREGULATION OF EACH CUSHION ELEMENT.